Dear Families:

 

We’re excited to welcome you and your child to the new school year!  

There are three important forms we are asking families to complete as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for providing this information, it will help school staff prepare to welcome and serve students in September.

1. 2021-22 Blended Learning 1 to 1 Agreement: Required for All Families Grades K-12 

• If you are the parent/guardian of a student entering Grades 3 through 12, this form is an agreement to loan your child a Chromebook for the school year.  The device will be used as part of our Blended Learning Initiative. Blended learning enhances in-person learning by providing each student educational access to digital and online resources.  Blended learning is not distance learning.
• If you are a parent/guardian of a child age 18 years and younger, this form provides consent for your student to use district approved online resources for instructional purposes.  To continue to provide students with the most effective tools to enhance their learning, teachers and librarians may use educational web-based programs and applications. Many of the educational web-based programs and applications require parent permission for children age 18 and under. 

Click here to fill out the Blended Learning form.

 

2. MN Department of Education Digital Survey

The MN Department of Education is asking all families to complete a Digital Survey.  

• The survey will provide district-level summary data—in other words, no personal, identifying information—to MN legislators,  MN agency staff and their external partners for the purpose of improving educational outcomes and digital access for public school students across the state.

Click here to take the MDE survey.

 

3. Application for Educational Benefits Form 

We encourage families to fill out this form to help support important school funding.

• Families qualifying for free/reduced school meals via this form may also qualify for reduced school activity fees, benefits and other discounts.
• Approved applications generate state funding that provides important services and programs for Duluth students. 
• A decline in approved applications now can result in loss of millions of dollars in school funding and less programs and services for students in the next school year.
• Fill out the form anywhere, anytime - the process is secure, confidential, convenient and available 24/7.  

Click here to fill out the application. 

If you would rather complete hard copy forms, go to www.ISD709.org/BackToSchool.  Print and complete the forms and return them to your school office.

Again, thank you for taking time to complete these forms and best wishes for a great school year!

 

Dear Families:

 

   This message is to let you know our school district will require indoor mask wearing in all ISD 709 buildings beginning Monday August 9, 2021.  Masks are already required for students age 2 to grade 5 and ISD 709 staff who work with those students.  We are expanding mask wearing to all students age 2 and older, all ISD 709 employees and the public unless medically exempted, regardless of vaccination status. 

   This requirement runs until further notice and a final decision for the 2021-22 school year will be shared by August 24.

   We need to do all that we can to ensure in-person learning for all students this school year.  None of us are excited to return to mask wearing but we know it’s an effective tool for slowing COVID transmission, especially as the Delta variant continues to rise dramatically across the country and in Minnesota.

   This change is based on updated guidance from the CDC, MN Department of Health and MN Department of Education, recommending that all students, teachers, staff, and visitors in school buildings should wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. The St. Louis County Health Department has also recommended indoor mask wearing for all due to Substantial Community Spread. Masks will also continue to be required on school buses per a federal mandate.

   In addition to mask wearing we strongly encourage people 12 years and older to get vaccinated.  Getting vaccinated is one of the best things we can do to prevent getting or spreading COVID, to keep the local rates down and ensure safe in-person learning this school year.

   If you have yet to be vaccinated, we again encourage you to do so – information on Saint Louis County vaccine clinics can be found here. The State of Minnesota’s vaccine locator can be found here. The State of Minnesota is also offering $100 incentives to get vaccinated – more information on that can be found here. Additionally, most medical providers and local drug stores have vaccinations available.

   We will continue to work closely with the St. Louis County Department of Health, MN Department of Health and MN Department of Education to monitor local COVID rates and state and federal guidance.  These safety protocols are subject to change as conditions and guidance changes.  As we approach the beginning of the school year we’ll continue to share information with staff and families, including any updates to COVID safety protocols.

   Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

 

John Magas, Superintendent

Duluth Public Schools